Jenna and her mother, Lee Ann, at 2024 Adaptive Family Camp
“My daughter, Jenna, knew she was in a safe space and wanted to share”
March 2025
Jenna heard that several of her CherishAbility friends would be attending Adaptive Family Camp and she was excited to go, too. So she and her mother Lee Ann attended for the first time last fall. “The program was well organized and allowed for flexibility to meet the needs of the loved one as well as the family members supporting,” shares Lee Ann. “There was freedom to participate in all or just some of the activities, and there was opportunity for individual quiet time, prayer and reflection, fellowship and conversation with other parents, and family support if you wanted it.”
Jenna riding horseback at the corral
During a week of gently paced activities, loved ones baked bread, hiked, played pickle ball, read the Lesson together, and made new friends. Parents enjoyed one another’s support, took respite time, and enjoyed “mountain top” discussions with the Christian Science practitioner.
Jenna “had the opportunity to try a new activity—horseback riding, which she very much enjoyed—and it was wonderful that she could reconnect in person with her friends and get to know new friends as well,” shares her mom.
But Jenna surprised everyone, beginning with her mother, during the talent show on the final evening where loved ones sing, act, dance, and let their light shine. “Jenna never mentioned to me that she was going to participate,” her mother shared. Jenna stepped onstage as the staff quickly queued up her song, and she proceeded to lip sync a heartfelt rendition of “Defying Gravity,” from “Wicked.”
Jenna performing in the talent show
“This was the first time she publicly performed,” her mother shares, adding that Jenna loves to sing in her bedroom. “Here’s the fruitage: She knew she was part of the group, she was in a safe space, she wanted to share, to contribute. And although she was nervous, she stepped up and sang.” The audience loved it! “I was really proud of her. She did it all independently. She did it because she knew she was with friends and she was loved, and she wanted to be an active part of her camp family.”
Adaptive Family Camp “is the only program of its kind that I know of that supports loved ones with special needs, and family, in this way,” Lee Ann reflects. “It's quite special to be in a place where conversation with other parents and caregivers is centered on God and His care for our children and ourselves—this fosters and supports healing for everyone.”
CherishAbilitly l 555 S.E. MLK Blvd. l Suite 105 #6508 l Portland, OR 97214 l 503.583.6743 l info@CherishAbility.org